Florida Panther Extinction

A group of researchers collected data to support the theory that the overpopulation of snakes is killing off the mammal population. Ashley Townsend, National Geographic writes, “the python population has continued to grow at a remarkable rate and has caused great distress to the park 's ecosystem.” For this study, the researchers at the South Florida Water Management District recorded the rates of live and dead mammals during a nocturnal road survey and compared it to the 1996-1997 road surveys. Scientists for the South Florida Management District, stated, “Researchers noted that the animals in the park were dying at a greater rate since the python population has gotten so enormous.”

There have been purchases of lands that are becoming protected for habitat space, as well as the large scale recoveries of forests that were devastated and ravaged due to over logging. The recovery of our forests will allow for an increase in the population of prey for these panthers and allow a flourishing ecosystem to help them. Public opinion has also changed. From being scared of them and killing them, people are now aware of the potential that this species could go extinct and have made efforts towards wildlife conservation and more legal protection that is backed by the Endangered Species Act. Furthermore, The Florida Panther Recovery Team has continued to work hard in preservation efforts as well as being able to now correctly assess habitats that are safe and productive for the Florida Panther to once again grow in. Unfortunately, only about 11% of reintroductions end in the species successfully recreating and increasing in numbers. Increases in technology is also however helping this team accurately track and study the patterns of the Panther in hopes of being able to find ways in to increase the odds of the species surviving once it is reintroduced into an

[Thesis and preview]: Today I am going to share with you a quick history lesson, talk about where these animals currently roam, and explain several threats that this growing population currently faces.

In most places owning a dog or cat is second nature, but what about a tiger, bear or maybe python? Exotic pet ownership is far from having a clear right or wrong answer but it is in need of a ban for both the protection of animal and owner.For exotic pet owners, owning a wild beast insures a sense of power and uniqueness. It is also their way of contributing to the conservation of a species by having a “backup population” once human population growth and habitat destruction has resulted in extinction (Slater 113). But in reality the ownership of wild animals as pets only helps to damage already fragile ecosystems, both the one from which they came from and the new one in which they find themselves. Animals in captivity are also stripped of a natural life in the wild, free of confinement and unsuitable care. Finally, the risk to humans is very large, injuries inflicted from exotic pets are dangerous and possibly deadly. Bans vary from state to state, ranging from no ban to partial ban to complete ban, but even in states with full bans, exotic pet ownership still occurs. Private ownership of an exotic animal as a pet should be banned in the US, due to disruptions in ecosystems, the dangers that wild animals are exposed too, and the risks to the owners of these pets.

To conclude, the FWC (Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission) also wants to mind people that any exotic pet should never be released into the Florida waters, or land. People need to realize that when you own an exotic animal and don't want the responsibility of caring for it anymore, you need to take it to an animal shelter or a good owner that has the ability and supplies to fill their needs. Letting them go, into the wild could be detrimental to other animals or plants in the

One can conclude that the alligator has been superbly adaptable to change. In the late 1800’s it became very common to hunt alligators for their skin. The “gator” population began to decrease and even disappeared from certain areas around the southern east side of the United States (a place where they used to thrive by the millions). It is estimated that between 1930 and 1940, more than 1 million alligators were killed in Florida. In the late 1940’s people began to fear that alligators would become extinct which is why laws were passed in states where alligators lived, only allowing the hunting of “gators” during certain times of the year and with specific permits. In the late 1950’s people realized that the laws were not being held with high standards and states such as Louisiana declared it illegal to kill alligators. The campaign to save the alligator was finally working and by the mid 1970’s the alligator was taken off the U.S. endangered species list. Today, alligators are thriving, however certain geographical areas such as the everglades, are becoming more populated by humans; thus, increasing interactions between humans and alligators. This could destroy their habitat and endanger the

Humans have caused another extinction, one that could possibly take us down in the process, species are exponentially going extinct because of habitat loss, species exportation, and invasive species bullying native species. On the other hand, scientists are trying to safe guard native species, keep animals in captivity whether it be for the animals well-being or for research, and widespread invasion. In this essay I will be comparing and contrasting “What Everglades Pythons and Other Invasive Species are Trying to Tell Us,” by Julia Whitty and “The Sixth Extinction,” by Jeff Corwin.

To continue, the Burmese python doesn’t regularly eat the same thing. Every meal is different in the Everglades. Since they’re “carnivores”, they go after all the “small birds and mammals”. (Matt Piven, Page 44, Paragraph 2) Sooner or later they are bound to be “extinct” in the Everglades. Wouldn’t that be a sad ending to these poor animals?

The Everglades is a subtropical wilderness with hardwood hammocks, mangrove forests, along with grass marshes. The Florida Everglades used to be a home for many endangered species, that was until the sudden changes in the environment. The Everglades are facing water-related issues, such as its problems with the water supply. There are issues facing recent attempts to improve the water supply, and some history on the Everglades.

There was a safe place formed in 1957 in an attempt to prevent the extinction of the area's deer that are home to the Florida Keys. Right now there are approximately 800 of these deer. Humans are trying help these deer by forming a “Key Deer Protection Allience”. The KDPA is a group of citizens that are deticated to protect these endangered species. Because Key deer have lost their fear of humans, there is a serious problem with people illegally feeding them. This makes the deer more vulnerable to dog attacks or getting entangled in fences. It also brings them closer to roads where they can be hit by cars. Feeding Key deer can also cause them to group in a small area, rather than spreading out over the available habitat. The KDPA believe

Tom Logan who is chief of wildlife research for the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission stated that civilization is the main threat to the survival of the panther." The panthers are being wiped out along with their homeland that is being surrounded by new and upcoming developments. Specifically, the highway is the biggest threat to the Florida panther. Nine panthers have been killed in the last eight years. Plans to complete Interstate - 75 by making it a two-lane toll road called "Alligator Alley" were put on hold because of the community's concern for the panther.

In a summary, Kolbert explains the extinctions of a variety of different major animal species that became extinct. She also explains that if trends in the environment continue that the biggest extinction in history will occur soon. If global warming, deforestation, and glaciers continue to melt she says that more and more species will continue to become extinct. She explains how humans need to be more conservative and careful with what they’re doing to prevent extinction.

Planet Earth is the one and only home for humans, and it’s their natural duty to protect it and all of its inhabitants. For many people, the fate of animals is of little importance, especially when there are so many of their own species suffering throughout the world. However, only when one has respect for nature can he or she come to appreciate for his or herself. In the past few decades, some animals have progressively come closer and closer to extinction. When compared to demographics 30 years ago, less than 5% of tiger and rhino populations remain in the wild (Congressional). The main culprits for this abominable crime against nature are avaricious poachers who seek personal gain and profit. Poaching is the illegal killing of

The king of the Savannah is slowly starting to become extinct. The African Lion becoming extinct does not sound like such a big deal to some people here in the United States of America, but it affects every one in Africa (and Asia) as a whole. These big animals are becoming extinct mostly because of human involvement. If these animals were to become extinct it can cause a giant boom in the herbivore population which can cause a drop in vegetation that is available for humans and the animals that are in need. It is a chain reaction that effects everyone that is involved. Where as, African Lions are at the head of the food chain; when the leader of the food chain is then knocked off, it could gravely affect other important species that depend on the lion. But there are plenty of alternative solutions that could be used to help these African Lions. Lions of certain ages help ensure that the African lion can continue breeding. There are so many different options but there are the fantastic three that have the best chance of saving these majestic creatures of the Sahara. Instead of small fences, we can start raising money to create a large reserve so that the lions can roam freely and comfortably as they please to. The African Lions would be far away from any harmful human contact. And another way that would benefit the lions, is the basic education about them. Then more people can have the basic knowledge about the different aspects of the lion, such as; how to deal with them

​ Alligators The alligator is a well known animal that lives in marshes. These reptiles are like the lion of marshes. The American alligator is a really endangered animal that is thriving to survive cause of alligator hunters. Preservation habitats and less demand in alligator products has made the growth of the population of this animal has gone up to 1 million. They are menacing predators with a armed scaly body and a muscular tell that will kill a man in on swipe. They live in swamps, lakes, rivers, and marshes in southeastern United States. These reptiles are extremely adapted swimmers males average from 10 to 15 feet females 9.8 feet. Hatchlings are 6-8 inches with a black and yellow pattern and are on the menu for many bird, raccoons,